8. What measure has NBA put in place to ensure

effective regulation of GMOs at ports of entry

around the country?

From the establishment the NBA has been building

its capacity. However, for now, the NBA is

collaborating with other government agencies in

conducting inspections to ensure that all products

containing GMOs are in compliance with the

Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007. The Authority is also

part of the electronic single window project that will

automate permit processing and inspection of

imports through the ASYCUDA World platform

which will enhance inspection mechanisms and

hence compliance with the law.

THE NATIONAL BIOSAFETY

AUTHORITY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Registrar

National Biosafety Authority

Plot 100,

Off Lake Road,

Ibex Hill Gardens

P.O. Box 51119

Lusaka

Tel: +260211 278316

FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT

National Biosafety Authority

1. What is Biosafety?

Biosafety is a term used to describe efforts to reduce and

eliminate the potential risks resulting from biotechnology

and its products.

2. What is the difference between biotechnology and

modern biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the application of science and engineering

in the direct or indirect use of living organisms, or parts or

products of living organisms, in their natural or modified

forms. This term is very broad and includes the use of

traditional or conventional breeding, as well as more

modern techniques such as genetic engineering.

Modern biotechnology distinguishes newer applications of

biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and cell fusion

from more conventional methods such as breeding, or

fermentation. Most often the term "biotechnology" is used

interchangeably with "modern biotechnology".

3. What is the difference between a GMO/LMO and

GMO/LMO product?

A genetically/living modified organism (GMO/LMO) is any

living organism that possesses a new combination of genetic

material obtained through the use of modern

biotechnology . While processed products containing dead

modified organisms or non-living GMO components are

known as GMO/LMO products. This would include certain

vaccines; drugs; food additives; and many processed foods.

6. Why are you allowing GMOs in Zambia when you

know they are harmful?

The mandate of the NBA is neither to allow nor prevent

GMOs from entering the country. The mandate of the

NBA enshrined in the Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007 is to

regulate all activities related to GMOs. The NBA

evaluates all GMO permit applications made and aims

to reduce and eliminate the potential risks resulting

from the proposed GMO activity from stakeholders.

Each application undergoes a comprehensive risk

assessment that will help determine if the proposed

activity is too harmful or the harms can be managed.

7. Does Zambia have the capacity to handle the

risks associated with the consumption of GMOs,

and how will these effects be mitigated?

Since 2002, Zambia has been building on its capacity to

regulate, experiment and test GMO related activities.

The Biosafety Act provides for issuance of permits for

activities involving GMOs that are safe for human and

animal health, biodiversity and the environment.

Therefore, there should be no concerns about lack of

capacity. During the risk assessment all those products

that are not safe will not be allowed into the country in

the first place. As long as all stakeholders in the

biosafety framework are efficient then risks can be

managed.

4. What is the difference between hybrid and

GMOs?

GMOs and Hybrids are both improved organisms with

beneficial characteristics that are produced via genetic

engineering or breeding programs. The key difference

between GMO and hybrid is that GMO is an organism

with modified genetic material through genetic

engineering inside the lab while a hybrid is an offspring

produced by controlled sexual reproduction between

two organisms. The genetic material transferred using

genetic engineering can be among similar or unrelated

species while in the case of hybrid this can only be done

among related species.

5. What are some of the common types of food on

the Zambian market which contain GMOs?

At present there are no GMO plants/animals that are

being produced in Zambia for the market. Though foods

imported from countries that produce GMOs are mostly

likely to contain GMO ingredients. World over only the

following crops have been genetically modified for

introduction onto the market: afalfa, apple, argentine

canola, bean, carnation, chicory, cotton, creeping Bent

grass, eggplant, eucalyptus, flax, maize, melon, papaya,

potato, rice, rose, soybeans, squash, sugar beet,

sugarcane, sweet pepper, tobacco, tomato and wheat.

In Zambia none of these GMOs have been permitted for

import except for GMO products such as cereals, spices,

cooking oils, biscuits and dog food, just to mention but

a few.